Scream Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will discover the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.